AST provides SAPS with state-of-the-art technology

A sophisticated new communications system from AST Networks-Voice Solutions, a business unit of the AST Group, will enable the police to act speedily to calls from the public and quickly dispatch the nearest police vehicle to the scene of a crime.

This follows the award to AST Networks of one of the biggest voice switch tenders for the supply of soice switch to the South African Police Services (SAPS).

In terms of the contract, which is worth over R20 million over the next two years, AST Networks, using the Philips SOPHO iS3000 PBX series, as required by the police, will supply all voice server systems. This system was specifically designed to cover the communication needs of small and large organisations such as the SAPS.

As part of the contract, AST Networks will be supplying two networks to the police in the Free State, one covering the entire city of Bloemfontein and the other for the eastern Free State. Both involve 24 systems using the Philips SOPHO iS3000 series to cover all the police stations in the areas.

A major benefit to the police is the integration by AST Networks of the Philips SOPHO iS3000 series with the Map-Display-System and radio-Control system used in 10111 centres. This enables immediate contact for callers to the police station and will provide the police officer receiving the call with all the details of the caller, as well as a street map of the location. The screen will also show the location of the nearest vehicle, which can then be immediately dispatched to the scene of the crime.

The AST system provides SAPS with access to state-of-the-art technology with strong networking capabilities and the ability to respond promptly to meet the public`s needs.

Furthermore the SOPHO system`s flexible software platform allows applications to be added as and when required by the SAPS.